For a group a Tennessee golf fans, last year’s goal at The Players Championship was just to share in the fun with a golfer — K.J. Choi — whom they admired.

Before it was over, they were actually sharing the spotlight.

The self-proclaimed Choi’s Bois followed every step of the golfer’s journey to becoming The Players champion last year.

What started as a conversation turned into a plan to wear shirts with “Choi’s Bois” emblazoned across the front. By the time the tournament was over, Choi was the winner, and six guys from Nashville were standing on the 18th green posing for a photo with him.

“It was unbelievable; it was like we’d won the Super Bowl,” said Bobby Page, the senior member of the group. “We were in heaven.”

Somehow, it only got bigger from there.

Because the Bois followed Choi all four days of the tournament while wearing their special shirts, they became part of the story of his victory.

Their participation has been commemorated on the official winner’s portrait that was unveiled by Choi on Tuesday in the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse. The Bois were all there to witness the ceremony and see themselves in the background.

But in case they missed the portrait, the Bois don’t have to do anything more than look down at their tickets, which also use the image from the painting.

Let’s just say the entire experience has been a bit more than they’d ever dreamed about.

Last year was the fifth Players for Page, his sons Bo and Brad, Clayton, Alex Kirkland and Curtis Gribble.

During the previous four trips, they had spent a lot of time on the course observing how each player treats the game and treats the fans.

While they certainly admired the more famous golfers who have won The Players and major tournaments before, the Bois all came away feeling that Choi was a special player.

Bobby Page said the guys would talk every night after the tournament about which players they enjoyed watching the most. The conversation always turned back to Choi.

“Every year we come to the conclusion that K.J. understands what it’s all about,” Bobby Page said. “It looks like he knows he has a good life and enjoys what he’s doing.”

So they had some shirts made up before last year’s tournament and decided to show Choi their support for him right from the start. The golfer acknowledged them on the first hole and interacted with them throughout the round.

According to Bobby Page, that was the only real purpose of wearing the shirts. They just wanted Choi to know that he had a group of fans at Sawgrass who appreciated the way he approached the game.

Well, they had such a good time on that Thursday, and Choi seemed so amused and impressed with the Bois that they felt it necessary to wear the shirts every day and follow Choi for each hole.

Even Rory Sabbatini, who was Choi’s playing partner for the first two rounds, chatted with the Bois. When he saw them Friday, he said: “My God, did you guys sleep in those shirts?”

Choi shot a 2-under-par 70 in the first round and a 4-under-68 in the second round to get into contention. The following for Choi started to increase, and so did the level of excitement for the Bois.

“As the week went on, he started playing better and better,” Bobby Page said.

Choi ended up beating David Toms in a playoff for the victory and was gracious enough to include the Bois in the celebration after the tournament.

He was happy to have them around Tuesday.

“To have them here is very special,” Choi said through an interpreter. “It brings back a lot of memories from last year.

“I was very surprised (to see the Bois last year). To have fans who are as supportive as they are, it means a lot to me. It gives me a lot of strength, and I try to play my best as a way of saying thank you to them.”

The Bois certainly feel thanked. The PGA Tour went out of its way to include them in some of the events that celebrated Choi’s victory.

And all the guys were looking for was a tip of the cap and maybe a couple of fist bumps.

“Everyone has gone above and beyond for us,” Bo Page said.

Added his father: “This is the ultimate. There’s a bond there (with Choi). To be down here is the chance of a lifetime.”

The Bois will be rooting for an encore, too. They said Choi has been communicating with them throughout the last year, sending them little gifts and just reminding them of his appreciation.

“I think the Choi’s Bois and I share a mental bond together where just by looking at each other’s faces, we have a camaraderie between us,” Choi said. “It’s something that you can only feel through your heart.

“There’s a special relationship between us that is never going to go away.”

So wherever fans see Choi on The Players Stadium Course, expect to see the Choi’s Bois watching for the ropes. That won’t change.

But the one thing the Bois can change for this year’s tournament: their shirts.

Last year, they each had just one shirt, which made for some laundering difficulties.

For this week, the Bois have a fresh shirt packed for each day of the tournament, surely the only change Choi will ask of his favorite Players Championship fans.